Four Additional Cruise Lines Are Implementing Starlink
Internet
More passengers need to stay as connected as possible wherever they are traveling. Cruise lines are realizing their current internet service is too slow. More and more companies are implementing Space X’s Starlink internet.
What is Starlink?
Starlink is the name of a satellite network developed by the private spaceflight company SpaceX to provide low-cost internet to remote locations.
Employing low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites, the technology works to offer not only a faster connection, but a more stable one.
Starlink satellite has a lifespan of approximately five years and SpaceX eventually hopes to have as many as 42,000 satellites in this so-called megaconstellation.
The current version of each Starlink satellite weighs approximately 573 lbs according to Spaceflight Now. As of November 2022 there are 3.271 Starlink satellites in orbit, of which 3,236 are opperational, according to Astronomer Jonatha McDowell who tracks the constellation on his website.
Carnival Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean Cruise Line are the first ships to offer Starlink. Four more cruise lines are planning to offer Starlink as well. Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceana Cruise Line, Regent Seven Seas Cruises and independant operator Aqua Expeditions are in the process of adding Starlink to their fleet of ships.
Norwegian Cruise Lines
Norwegian has been testing Starlink on board Norwegian Breakaway and next plans to implement the connectivity across its three-brand corporate fleet in phases.
Norwegian has been testing Starlink on board Norwegian Breakaway and next plans to implement the connectivity across its three-brand corporate fleet in phases.
“We are thrilled to offer Starlink onboard our ships to improve internet connectivity at sea,” said Harry Sommer, president and CEO-elect of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. “This initiative is a testament to our continuous quest to find new and innovative ways to enhance the experience for both guests and crew while sailing on our award-winning brands. Ensuring that this technology meets our high standards of excellence for our guests is incredibly important to us, which is why we are introducing this cutting-edge technology across our fleet in a phased manner. Once deployed, guests and crew will have a faster and more reliable method to stay connected with friends and family, including by sharing in real-time the incredible memories they create while at sea.”
Aqua Expeditions
It’s not just the big players that are adopting Starlink.
Small-ship and riverboat operator Aqua Expeditions has also recently announced
that it has equipped several vessels with the latest high-speed internet. Aqua Mare,
Aqua Nera and Aqua Blu already received it in March 2023, and Aria Amazon and
Aqua Mekong are scheduled to get it in September 2023.
It’s not just the big players that are adopting Starlink.
Small-ship and riverboat operator Aqua Expeditions has also recently announced
that it has equipped several vessels with the latest high-speed internet. Aqua Mare,
Aqua Nera and Aqua Blu already received it in March 2023, and Aria Amazon and
Aqua Mekong are scheduled to get it in September 2023.
“I am excited to offer reliable quality internet service to
our guests and crew,” said Francesco Galli Zugaro, CEO and founder of Aqua
Expeditions. “Our goal is to provide the best possible Wi-Fi connection to
allow guests to stay in touch with friends and family, particularly during our
longer voyages of seven, 12 and 14 nights.”
our guests and crew,” said Francesco Galli Zugaro, CEO and founder of Aqua
Expeditions. “Our goal is to provide the best possible Wi-Fi connection to
allow guests to stay in touch with friends and family, particularly during our
longer voyages of seven, 12 and 14 nights.”
As it relates to Aqua’s remote destinations, the line
explained that Starlink already has more than 2,500 satellites that extend
coverage, even into the Peruvian Amazon, the Coral Triangle of East Indonesia,
the Mekong River in Vietnam and Cambodia and the Galapagos Islands.
Guests on Aqua’s vessels will be granted two hours of free
Wi-Fi access daily, or they can purchase unlimited connectivity for $100 per
person for the length of the cruise.
explained that Starlink already has more than 2,500 satellites that extend
coverage, even into the Peruvian Amazon, the Coral Triangle of East Indonesia,
the Mekong River in Vietnam and Cambodia and the Galapagos Islands.
Guests on Aqua’s vessels will be granted two hours of free
Wi-Fi access daily, or they can purchase unlimited connectivity for $100 per
person for the length of the cruise.
With the popularity of the latest internet service expect to see more cruise lines adding Starlink to their fleet of ships.
To see current Starlink internet availability around the world, and if it’s available where you are, Starlink has an interactive map detailing locations where Starlink internet is available, which areas are on the waitlist as well as areas that are “coming soon”.